Support Accountant in Norwich

The Finance Team at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is looking for an active accounting student, or an individual who is interested in developing their experience in accounting and finance. Our ideal candidate is someone that is enthusiastic and has strong communication skills to join us as a Support Accountant. We are interested in anybody who has a passion for delivering excellent customer service, who wants to develop and wants to contribute to an organisation which delivers outstanding care to the people of Norfolk.

The Finance Team is strongly supportive of professional development and includes a high proportion of staff who are studying for professional exams. This role includes the opportunity to study towards a Level 7 professional accountancy qualification. The Trust makes use of the Apprentice Levy to support professional development and will provide the post holder with a dedicated study mentor. The Trust will also give the post holder access to a wealth of resources provided by Skills Development Network (SDN). The Trust is an accredited employer with AAT, ACCA (GOLD) and CIMA Training Provider. Any candidate with relevant NVQ level 3 or AAT Level 3 (or below) will be considered and remunerated at Band 3 salary, starting at £22,816 per annum. This role is a hybrid role, initial expectation is to work 3-4 days per week in the office, which will then be reviewed once candidate is up to speed.

Main duties of the job

• The role includes management accounting with direct contact with budget holders, raising invoices, monitoring payments to suppliers, drafting management accounting reports, and support work on annual budget setting processes and forecasts.

Job responsibilities

• To raise any invoices attributable to the assigned Business Unit(s).
• To assist the Business Unit(s) in achieving its Better Payment Policy (BPP) targets, by reviewing reports and liaising with authorisers/suppliers to resolve any issues on a weekly basis.
• To calculate and enter transactions in the general ledger as required.
• To undertake complex analysis of and provide commentary on the Business Unit(s) assigned to him/her in accordance with the monthly timetable.
• To assist in ensuring the Business Unit(s) meets its budget review compliance target by liaising with budget managers on a monthly basis.
• To prepare internal recharges for the usage of temporary staff and other costs to be shared across Business Units.
• To assist in preparation of returns to external bodies as required for review by the Finance Business Partner/Deputy Business Partner.
• To assist in the production of accurate financial reports under the guidance of the Finance Business Partner/Deputy Business Partner for the Business Unit(s) assigned to him/her in accordance with the monthly timetable.
• To assist in preparation of the annual budget and forecasts for the assigned Business Unit(s) in accordance with the departmental framework and timetable.
• To assist staff within the Business Unit(s) when required to ensure that the Business Units financial affairs are conducted in accordance with the Trusts prevailing financial procedures and controls which are in operation.
• To maintain financial controls including the Authorised Signatory Database and accounting hierarchy.
• To issue budget statements to Budget Managers across the organisation in accordance with the monthly timetable.
• To reconcile and clear suspense accounts in liaison with management accounting in line with monthly reporting timetables.
• To liaise with payroll in order to identify salary overpayments and take appropriate action to ensure that monies are recovered in line with the Trust policy.
• To deal with overpayments queries (which may be complex), investigating and providing advice to staff in order to facilitate payment.
• To administer the financial arrangements of the Trusts car leasing, including preparation of P3s and coding of lease invoices.
• To reconcile the Trusts balance sheet accounts for salary deductions, including lease cars.
• To calculate and enter transactions for the Trust and charitable funds in the general ledger as required.

Person Specification

• Evidence of solid attainment in general education.
• Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) grade A-C/9-4.
• NVQ Level 4/AAT Technician Level or equivalent experience - Band 4 only.
• A willingness to studying towards an accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT).

Experience

• Experience of working in a finance environment with knowledge of reconciliations, double entry book‑keeping, payables, receivables and financial systems.
• Experience of management accounting within the public sector.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Good communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with internal and external managers.
• Good technical skills and use of IT systems, particularly MS Excel.
• Team player with an ability to work closely with others.
• Advanced Keyboard Skills.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of staff.
• Experience in use of Integra and ESR.
• Knowledge of financial and accounting procedures.
• Using Information Technology.
• Ensures that financial information provided to others is accurate, timely and useful.

Values/Attributes

• Motivated and able to prioritise own workload.
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.

Other

• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working.